Chapter Six #2
“Got it,” Axel announced. “Abandoned farm on that property out north that just sold.”
“If it was abandoned, how did it catch on fire?” Trevor asked.
“This isn’t the first fire this month,” Drake said. “Something’s going on.”
“It’s not magical,” Dean added. “I went by both previous fires and there’s nothing hinky other than they were empty properties.”
“Arsonist,” Bastian declared. Fire wasn’t something that he had much experience with. Few paranormals messed around with fire, since that was one thing that most couldn’t come back from. During the great hunt, humans had used fire after realizing that it worked for most of their kind.
“That was my thought,” Dean replied. “I wanted to check it out since there are some mages that have an affinity for fire.”
“And no magic residue?” Bastian pressed.
“None. I took Noah with me and used a seeking spell,” Dean confirmed.
This news worried Bastian even more. His mate was out there and someone was purposely starting fires. He pushed off the counter but Axel held up his hand.
“You can’t just go over there and yank him away from work,” Axel told him. “Or whatever else you have in mind.”
Bastian scowled. Why the hell not? “He’s—”
“Your mate,” Axel finished. “I know. Just think about how he might react.”
“Instead of rushing out being overprotective, why don’t you do something nice for him and his crew once they get back? They’ll probably be exhausted,” Drake suggested.
“Okay.” That suggestion was more helpful than Bastian’s plan of shifting and stalking Hudson from the nearest tree.
His boy did have a tendency of finding Bas easily.
But how was he supposed to do something nice?
What was nice? Bastian had never been called nice in his life.
“Uh…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “What should I do?”
“They’re going to be tired, hot, and dirty,” Dean said.
“And probably hungry,” Drake added. “I could make a couple homemade pizzas for you to take.”
“Oh! And some fresh donuts?” Dean asked.
Bastian nodded. Both of those ideas would be helpful. “Are you sure? That seems like a lot of work for you both.” He could just grab something in town.
Dean was already crossing the kitchen. “It will mean more to Hudson that this is something special that you did for him.”
“Thank you,” Bastian said sincerely.
“This is what family does,” Axel replied. “While they do that, is there anything you can think that Hudson would like?”
“Flowers!” Bastian said quickly. “He loved the roses I got for dinner but he was also talking to Bas, the cat, about fixing up his backyard and adding a garden.”
“There are some gorgeous wildflowers growing that I could show you. Adam keeps them healthy and thriving,” Axel offered.
“Would he be okay with that? Me picking the flowers?” Bastian didn’t want to piss off the master of hell’s mate.
“He’ll love that you are taking them to your mate. And he’ll be able regrow them easily,” Axel replied with a smile.
“I’d really appreciate it then,” Bastian said. He looked around the room at the men who’d shown up when he’d sent the text about Hudson fighting a fire. He’d received a message from everyone in the family as matter of fact. Offers to come home or requests of what they could do.
Family.
The longer Bastian was there, the more he understood.
And now that he had a mate to protect and care for, having the support of the family meant the world to him. Hudson had his brother and friends, but Bastian was hoping to bring him a whole collection of paranormal family that would love the human to pieces.
* * * * *
Hudson
Exhaustion rode him as hard as the fire engine tires on the road. Hudson remained with his head back against the seat with his eyes closed. The barn had been a complete loss. They smothered the fire with water then went further, tearing down the wood of the barn, ensuring that no embers remained.
Captain Devlin had spoken to the owner of the land, who wasn’t in town yet. The owner had been upset but thankful that no one had been hurt.
Hudson was grateful for that as well.
At least on the way back to the station, his captain had been talking to Easton about the suspicious fires. It was a relief finding out he was not being the only one worried about what was happening around their town.
He kept his eyes closed, praying that the headache that pulsed around his temples, would go away once he was back at the station. A hot shower, clean clothes, and maybe some aspirin would hopefully Hudson would be able to savage the rest of the day.
“Pulling up Bud,” Phil whispered. “We’ll all get cleaned up. Maybe order some pizzas or something.”
Hudson forced himself to sit up. He was starving and that would be the pick me up that Hudson could look forward to. They were passing the last of the stores before they returned to the station.
“Who’s that?” Phil asked before making the turn to back into the bay.
“Where?” Hudson leaned forward asking.
“Black truck on the curb,” Phil said.
Hudson didn’t know who the truck belonged to. Peering out the front window, he kept an eye on the visitor. It wasn’t uncommon that members of the community stopped by, but Hudson wasn’t in the mood to socialize.
“It had better not be someone complaining about the sirens earlier,” Phil commented sourly.
Yeah, that had actually happened after the last fire. Hudson shrugged. “We’ll let Cap deal with it while we clean up.”
“Sounds good,” Phil agreed.
The engine was slow to rumble to quiet as Phil turned the truck off.
The door felt like it weighed a hundred pounds as Hudson pushed it open. He dropped down onto the concrete with a groan. Beside him, EJ pulled the ambulance in. EJ was grinning as he pointed out the front windshield.
Hudson turned right as Bastian closed the driver’s door of the truck.
Oh! That perked him right up. Hudson hadn’t checked his messages on the way back and now there was the person he wanted to see most at the moment. He smiled before trudging forward.
Bastian met him halfway up the drive. “Hey.”
“Hi! What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you,” Bastian said, reaching for him.
Hudson scrambled back. “I’m filthy.” And probably stunk. Bastian looked sexy in his black ripped jeans and white T-shirt.
“That’s fine as long as I get a kiss before I leave.” He grinned. “Why don’t you go shower and I’ll bring the food in.”
“Food?”
“Drake made several homemade pizzas that will be enough for everyone. Dean baked and packed up three dozen donuts,” Bastian told him.
Hudson groaned as he rubbed his stomach. “That sounds so good.”
“I’ll get everything upstairs while you clean up.”
“Thank you!” Hudson wanted to kiss Bastian right then and there.
“I’ll kiss you until you can’t see straight,” Bastian told him as if he could read Hudson’s mind. “I promise.”
With his protective gear still on, there was no way that Bastian could see the erection he was sporting. And headache? That was already gone. Just being around Bastian was a breath of fresh air. “Okay.”
“I brought you these as well.”
Hudson hadn’t even noticed that Bastian had kept one hand behind his back. He gasped at the gorgeous bundle of wildflowers. “For me?”
“I wanted to do something nice for you,” Bastian said. “Drake and Dean, actually all of the guys helped, but I want you to know that I’m proud of my superhero boyfriend.”
He said boyfriend! Bastian had totally just called Hudson his boyfriend.
“Your entire face just lit up.”
“You called me your boyfriend,” Hudson replied happily.
“That’s what made you happy?”
“And I love the flowers,” Hudson offered. “I want to grow some in my backyard. I was just thinking about it the other night.”
“Okay, boy.” Bastian passed the flowers over. “Go now.”
“Yes, sir.” Hudson gave a mock salute. “I won’t be long.”
“Take your time, baby,” Bastian said. “I’ll keep one of the pizzas in the oven. Your crew should be almost done by now.”
Leaning forward carefully, Hudson pressed his lips to Bastian’s. He didn’t press against Bastian even if that was what wanted to do.
Bastian licked his bottom lip before giving it a nip.
Hudson needed Bastian’s strength. It always took a lot out of him being that active. His work was exhausting but worth it.
“Soon, sunshine,” Bastian murmured.
“I’ll be right out.” Hudson hurried off to shower as Bastian turned back to the truck where he probably left the food.
* * * * *
Bastian
It felt good to make sure that the fire crew and captain of his adopted town were taken care of. He’d first been met with suspicion, something to do with a complaint they’d received the last time they had a fire, but once they’d seen the food, they’d changed their tune.
Meeting Hudson’s best friend, EJ, was eye-opening. He’s seen the guy around, of course. EJ had been there the first time Hudson had tried to rescue Bas from the tree. Bastian had not realized how sarcastic and sassy the young man was.
The entire time they chowed down on the pizza, EJ had questioned Bastian like every good best friend should. Once Hudson joined them and Bas placed a warmed pizza pie down in front of him, the teasing had begun.
It was a small crew, but Bastian could see how close they were.
Even the captain had questioned Bastian on how long he was staying and his plans.
Bastian didn’t mind. To be with Hudson he would put up with protective co-workers and friends.
“Stop, guys!” Hudson complained. “He’s never going to bring us food again.”
“It’s the best pizza that I’ve ever had,” Phil commented.
“I need these donuts every day in my life,” EJ added.
“We really appreciate this,” Captain Devlin said.
Looking across the table, Bastian winked at Hudson. “Anything for Hudson.”
Hudson blushed as Bastian could have easily predicted.
EJ began to catcall before choking on a donut.
Phil laughed as he pounded on EJ’s back as Captain Devlin just shook his head. The older man must be used to their antics.
“I have paperwork to do,” Captain Devlin said, standing.